Yameen Says Eagle Hills Agreement Is ‘Illegal’ and Should Not Bind Future Governments

Former President Abdulla Yameen has described the agreement between the Maldivian government and UAE-based developer Eagle Hills for the development of a proposed USD 20 billion waterfront and marina project as “illegal”, arguing that a future administration should not be bound by the deal.

Speaking at a People’s National Front (PNF) Front Office meeting on Thursday night, Yameen criticised the reported 99-year agreement, saying it amounted to “selling off” the future of Maldivian citizens.

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Yameen argued that no government has a legal mandate to enter into an agreement of such duration and alleged that the deal was contrary to Maldivian law and international law.

“They are selling off the ‘future’ of the citizens.? This is not a mandate granted to any government under any law—neither anywhere else in the world nor in the laws of the Maldives. Therefore, they are effectively stealing our future,” Yameen said.

He further argued that because he considers the agreement illegal, a future government would not be required to honour it.

“Since this is an illegal agreement, a future government will not have to honour it at all,” he said.

Yameen also questioned the origins and purpose of the Ras Male’ development, stating that the project was neither the creation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu nor his own concept.

He alleged that the areas covered by the development were being prepared for “specific undisclosed motives”, without providing further details.

The government and Eagle Hills signed the agreement in Dubai at a special ceremony, with the project presented as one of the largest foreign investment initiatives proposed in the Maldives.

The proposed development includes a major waterfront and marina project in the Maldives and has been described by the government as a significant investment initiative.